The suit has been filed by Sesame Workshop, the production house behind ‘’Sesame Street’’, against the makers of upcoming film ‘’The Happytime Murders’’.
The production company of ‘’Sesame Street’’ has filed a lawsuit against the makers of ‘’The Happytime Murders’’. The R-rated movie, which is set to be released in August this year, features Melissa McCarthy in the starring role.
The set of the film is prepared in the ‘’underbelly of Los Angeles’’ in a world where humans and puppets live together. In a recently released trailer, the movie shows puppets involved in prostitution, sex, and even murder.
However, it isn’t the trailer which is the reason why SX Entertainment, the makers of ‘’The Happytime Murders’’, are facing a lawsuit. Instead, it is the use of a tagline ‘’No Sesame. All Street’’ which has attracted the ire of the bigwigs of ‘’Sesame Street’’. The lawsuit claims that the use of this tagline tarnishes a brand loved by millions of children for nearly 5 decades.
“We take no issue with the creative freedom of the filmmakers and their right to make and promote this movie, rather this is about how our name is being misused to market a film with which we have no association,” Sesame Workshop said in a statement.
Responding to the lawsuit, STX released a statement from one of the characters of the movie.
“While we’re disappointed that ‘Sesame Street’ does not share in the fun, we are confident in our legal position. We look forward to introducing adult moviegoers to our adorably unapologetic characters this summer,” the statement said.
Ironically, the director of the movie is none other than Brian Henson, whose father Jim Henson was involved in the development of ‘’Sesame Street’’ characters. Jim was also involved in the creation of ‘’The Muppet Show’’ before his death in 1990 at the age of 53.
Melissa McCarthy plays the role of a police cop in ‘’The Happytime Murders’’ alongside a partner who is a puppet. Both of them are on a mission to crack the case involving the brutal murders of the former cast of a classic puppet television show.
The filmmakers describe the movie as a ‘’filthy comedy set in the underbelly of Los Angeles.’’ Its trailer further says that Brian Hanson is ‘’finally ready to reveal what goes down when kids aren’t around’’.
‘’The Happytime Murders’’ is set to be released on August 17 this year.
